Australian City, Kalgoorlie-Boulder faced persistent challenges with the Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex since its inauguration in 2017. The sports grounds’ stubborn turf issues were primarily attributed to improper soil composition.

These problems have also led to player injuries and inconsistent playing surfaces. However, a recent decision by the city council promises a transformative solution. They are planning to acquire the Sustainable Machinery Top Drain 1000 sand slit machine and tractor, costing $293,605.

Reviving Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex: A Game-Changing Investment

The soil profile at Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex has been a source of frustration for sports enthusiasts and administrators alike. The excessively compacted, clay-heavy soil rendered it unsuitable for high-impact sports and led to recurrent injuries. As one city report explained, the initial design requirements were borrowed from the US Golf Association. This proved ill-suited for the local conditions, which were dominated by heavy soils rich in clay and loam.

The report highlighted the city’s efforts over the past eight years to mitigate the issue. However, these efforts only brought about limited success. While it did bring about some progress in reducing compaction, it didn’t solve the underlying issue. The complex continued to grapple with an inconsistent playing surface and a hardness that posed injury risks.

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However, the arrival of the Sustainable Machinery Top Drain 1000 promises a much-needed reprieve. This sand slit drainage machine has the ability to replace the problematic soil profile with one better suited to drainage. The machine not only extracts the old soil but also backfills the trenches with more conducive soil, providing a fresh start for the complex’s turf.

City officials are confident that this investment will not only benefit Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex. They are expecting that other playing fields and parks will also stand to benefit from this purchase. The city is eagerly awaiting the machine’s arrival, with one unit scheduled for delivery in February 2024.

The Tractor: A Vital Component of the Transformation 

While the Sustainable Machinery Top Drain 1000 promises a groundbreaking solution, it’s essential to acknowledge the crucial role of the tractor. The machine requires a 100-horsepower, four-wheel-drive tractor. It also needs GPS capabilities to operate effectively. The city already had a tractor on its budget, albeit being of a lower specification than required for this.

Consequently, an additional investment of $40,000 is necessary to secure the appropriate tractor. This may seem like an extra expense, but it is an essential component in ensuring the machine’s efficiency and effectiveness in revitalizing the sports complex’s turf.

The investment in both the Sustainable Machinery Top Drain 1000 and the appropriate tractor signifies the city’s commitment to resolving long-standing issues plaguing Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex. This undertaking not only promises a brighter future for local sports enthusiasts but also showcases Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s dedication to maintaining top-tier sporting facilities.

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s decision to acquire cutting-edge soil drainage machinery, coupled with the investment in an appropriate tractor, marks a pivotal moment in the city’s sports field maintenance. The resolve to tackle the turf issues head-on reflects the city’s commitment to providing safe and high-quality sporting facilities for its residents and visitors. With these transformative investments, the future of Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex and other sports fields within the city appears brighter than ever.

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